Tilt Coloum Universal Joint Help !

[72MARIO]

I bought a tilt coloum form a 70's van. I just finished switching the turn signal assemble to the red hazard button style and the half moon plug. After I finished I spun the steering shaft and noticed it was kinda rough. I have the lower baering out right not waiting for a replacemant to arrive. The upper baring is in great shape. How do I get to this universal joint ? I would like to have it spin smoothly.

Thanks , Mario

[joelboxt]

Hey mario,

i have a van column also im restoring. you have to take that column right apart to get to that joint in the shaft its pretty stupid.. where did you get your lower bearing for that? because i broke the nylon ring that went around my lower bearing.. let me know..


joel

[JimKshortstep4x4]

If you need the lower bearing at the bottom of the column, the non-tilt bearing is the same. If you are needing the one that is part of the stub shaft then I believe they are still available from the dealer.

Jim

[72MARIO]

Jim,

It's the actual u joint inside the shaft it feels rough like a sized ujoint. I just dont want it to break on me when driving the last 4 1/2 years of my life down the road. Ever has a u joint get rough to spin by hand ?

Joel,

Just so you know, you were telling me about the new switches with the red hazard button for tilt's well the straight coloums are the same you just neeed to put the light socket on the straight switch.

[joelboxt]

Mario,

i new they were the same but my switch is junkered so i need a new switch anyways.. i have a place that sells the repro tilt column switches. with the right connectors so im going to get one there..

thats universal joint isnt the same style as the ones on a drive shaft.. i dont think it will let go.. they like two half circles of pipe with a nylon type ball in the center as a pivot.. doubt it will let go on you.

i have mine all a part. so when it goes back together i will grease eveything up again.

where did you get that lower bearing for the van tilt? let me know if you can.

thanks


joel

[72MARIO]

I actually took the bearing from my old straight coloum. It was in great shape so I cleaned it out and repacked it. I guess I won't need the new one. The plastic sleve was cracked but I just super ghlues it. It's not like it going anywhere.... . I think I figured out how to pull the shaft out buti t was 1:45 AM so I went to bed.

[dmec]

i tracked down the lower bearing adapter at my local chevy dealer. part #7805822. just stumbled into it. i was comparing bearing adapters in pick a part and found 87 astro van adapter the same as van tilt. checked out at dealer and van parts discontinued but had the same part # as astro van. also had the pointer for the indicator. part #3912618. check it out

[joelboxt]

thanks dmec.

joel